impactite

impact crater, Chile) Impactite is rock created or modified by one or more impacts of a meteorite. Impactites are considered metamorphic rock, because their source materials were modified by the heat and pressure of the impact. On Earth, impactites consist primarily of modified terrestrial material, sometimes with pieces of the original meteorite.

impact crater, Chile) Impactite is rock created or modified by one or more impacts of a meteorite. Impactites are considered metamorphic rock, because their source materials were modified by the heat and pressure of the impact. On Earth, impactites consist primarily of modified terrestrial material, sometimes with pieces of the original meteorite. ==Characteristics== Impactite includes shock-metamorphosed target rocks, melts (suevites) and mixtures of the two, as well as sedimentary rocks with significant impact-derived components (shocked mineral grains, tektites, anomalous geochemical signatures, etc.). In June 2015, NASA reported that impact glass has been detected on the planet Mars. Such material may contain preserved signs of ancient life—if life existed. Impactites are generally classified into three groups: shocked rocks, impact melt, and impact breccias. ==Examples of impactite== on Mars is a possible site for preserved ancient life, after detection of an impact glass deposit. Impactite has been found, for example, at the following impact craters and structures: Alamo bolide impact (Late Devonian), Nevada, United States Alga crater on the planet Mars Barringer crater, Arizona, United States Charlevoix impact structure, Québec, Canada Darwin Crater, Tasmania (source of Darwin glass) Lake Lappajärvi, Finland (source of Kärnäite) Manicouagan impact structure, Québec, Canada Neugrund crater, Estonia Nördlinger Ries crater, Germany Rochechouart impact structure, France Stac Fada Member, Scotland Wabar craters, Saudi Arabia ==See also== ==References== ==External links== Meteorite crater glossary

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